JP2001285520A - Management method for address information, method and equipment for data communication, and address book server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management method for address information, data communication equipment, a data communication method, and an address book server which eliminate a need of attempting fax transmission many times, by changing stored address information as required when changing address information like a telephone number which specifies data communication equipment as a transmission destination. SOLUTION: The management method for address information includes a request stage, where a management means which manages a database including address information of the data communication equipment as the transmission destination is requested to transmit the address information, a reception stage where address information transmitted by the management means is received, and an update stage, where address information stored in the data communication equipment as the transmission source is updated, on the basis of received address information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for managing address information, a data communication device, a data communication method, an address book server, and more particularly, to a method for managing address information using a facsimile device as the data communication device, and a data communication device. , A data communication method, and an address book server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus transmits data (fax transmission) by inputting address information which is a telephone number of a transmission destination and then pressing a transmission button. In such a facsimile machine, a simple operation of Fax
Improvements have been made to allow transmission. For example, a function called a one-touch dial has a button group in which an attribute such as the name of a transmission destination is displayed adjacent to a transmission button of the operation unit, and the user confirms this attribute and selects one of the buttons. By pressing the button on which the attribute of the destination to be transmitted from is displayed, fax transmission can be performed with one touch. In addition, there is also a function called abbreviated dialing in which a fax number is transmitted by pressing a transmission button after pressing a pre-registered abbreviated number.

[0003]

However, the fact that the address information of the destination facsimile machine (called side) has been changed due to circumstances such as relocation of the destination or a contract change with a communication carrier has been reported. The calling party cannot detect it. Therefore,
If the user presses the transmission button after inputting the address information which is the telephone number of the transmission destination without knowing that the address information of the transmission destination has been changed, and attempts to perform a fax transmission, a line with the called facsimile apparatus is not established. Invalid calls continue,
It may be connected to a facsimile machine at a completely different destination, and eventually, the F
ax transmission becomes impossible.

Similarly, fax transmission may be attempted without knowing that the address information of the destination registered by one-touch dialing or speed dialing has been changed. In this case as well, fax transmission to the correct destination facsimile machine becomes impossible.

[0005] Unless the stored address information is changed, there is a problem that the fax transmission becomes impossible even if the fax transmission is attempted several times.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for changing the address information such as a telephone number for specifying a destination data communication apparatus.
Provided are a management method, a data communication device, a data communication method, and an address book server for making necessary changes to stored address information and making it unnecessary to repeatedly send a fax.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is as set forth in claim 1.
Can be solved by the address book management method described in (1). That is, in the address book management method according to claim 1, a requesting step of requesting transmission of the address information to a management unit that manages a database including address information of the transmission destination data communication device, A receiving step of receiving the address information; and an updating step of updating the address information stored in the source data communication device based on the received address information.

According to the address information management method, the address information stored in the transmission source data communication device can be arbitrarily updated by the address information included in the database managed by the management means. Therefore, even if there is a change in the address information of the destination data communication device, the source data communication device can perform the fax transmission based on the updated address information, so that it is not necessary to repeatedly try the fax transmission. .

[0009] The object of the present invention can be solved by a data communication device according to claim 9. That is, the data communication device according to claim 9 is an address book server unit including a storage unit that stores a database including address information of a destination data communication device, and a management unit that manages the database. Requesting means for requesting transmission of the address information, receiving means for receiving the address information transmitted by the management means, and updating address book data stored in the source data communication device based on the received address information. An update unit is provided.

According to this data communication device, since the address book server is provided, even if the address information of the destination data communication device is changed, the source data communication device is updated in the address book server by the updated address information. Based on F
Since the ax transmission is enabled, it is not necessary to repeatedly try the facsimile transmission. Also, since the address information can be provided to other transmission source data communication devices, it is not necessary for the transmission source data communication device connected to the data communication device according to claim 9 to repeatedly try fax transmission. .

The object of the present invention can be solved by an address book server according to the present invention. That is, the address book server according to claim 16 is a storage unit that stores a database in which address information of destination data communication devices are arranged, a management unit that manages the database, and the address requested by the source data communication device. It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving a request for transmitting information, and transmitting means for transmitting the address information to the source data communication apparatus in response to the transmission request.

The address book server transmits the updated address information to the connected source data communication apparatus. Therefore, the source data communication apparatus connected to the address book server according to claim 16 transmits the fax data many times. No need to try.

The object of the present invention can be solved by the address book management method according to the present invention. That is, claim 2
1. The address book management method according to 1, wherein an update step of updating a database including address information corresponding to the transmission destination data communication apparatus, a distribution step of distributing the address information to the transmission source data communication apparatus with the update, The method further includes a changing step of invalidating the address information stored in the transmission source data communication device and validating the distributed address information based on the distributed address information.

According to the address information management method, the updated address information is distributed to the source data communication device, and the source data communication device updates the stored address information based on the distributed address information. Because
Fax transmission can be performed based on the updated address information, so that it is not necessary to repeatedly try fax transmission.

[0015] The object of the present invention can be solved by an address book server according to claim 29. That is, the address book server according to claim 29, a storage means for storing a database including address information of the destination data communication device,
Updating means for updating a database including address information corresponding to the destination data communication apparatus; distributing means for distributing the address information to the source data communication apparatus; and distributing the address information to the distribution means in accordance with the update. And distribution control means for causing the distribution control means to perform the control.

According to the address book server, the updated address information is distributed to the source data communication device. The source data communication device connected to the address book server according to claim 29 updates the stored address information based on the distributed address information, and thus updates the stored address information based on the address information updated by the source data communication device. This makes it possible to perform fax transmission, and eliminates the need to repeatedly try fax transmission.

The object of the present invention can be solved by a data communication method according to claim 36. That is, in the data communication method according to claim 36, a calling step of making a call from a transmission source data communication device to a transmission destination data communication device, a confirmation step of confirming an incoming call of the transmission destination data communication device, a transmission source data communication device A transmitting step of transmitting an address change notification for notifying the change of the address information.

According to this data communication method, since the change of the address information of the source data communication device is notified, the destination data communication device can update the address information, and the destination data communication device is updated. Fax transmission can be performed on the basis of the address information thus obtained, and it is not necessary to repeatedly try fax transmission.

The object of the present invention can be solved by a data communication device according to claim 46. That is, the data communication device according to claim 46, a storage unit for storing a database including address information of the destination data communication device, a calling unit for making a call to the destination data communication device, and a source data communication device. It is characterized by comprising change notification means for transmitting an address change notification for notifying a change in the address information of the device.

According to this data communication device, since the change of the address information of the source data communication device is notified, the destination data communication device can update the address information, and the destination data communication device is updated. Fax transmission can be performed on the basis of the address information thus obtained, and it is not necessary to repeatedly try fax transmission.

The object of the present invention can be solved by a data communication device according to claim 50. The data communication device according to claim 50, wherein the storage device stores a database including address information of the destination data communication device, the call receiving device responds to a call from the source data communication device, and the source data communication device. Receiving means for receiving the address change notification for notifying the change of the address information according to the above.

According to this data communication device, it is possible to receive the notification of the change of the address information of the source data communication device and update the address information. Therefore, the transmission destination data communication apparatus can perform the fax transmission based on the updated address information, and it is not necessary to repeatedly try the fax transmission.

The object of the present invention can be solved by an address book server according to claim 56. That is, according to the address book server of claim 56, storage means for storing address information of the destination data communication device, receiving means for receiving address information from the source data communication device, and reception from the source data communication device According to the address information
Changing means for invalidating the address information of the destination data communication device stored in the storage means and validating the received address information, and transmitting the valid address information in response to a request from the source data communication device It is characterized by comprising means.

According to this address book server, when the source data communication device obtains updated address information on the destination data communication device, the address information is received from the source data communication device and stored. Change address information. Therefore, the source data communication device connected to the address book server according to claim 56 updates the stored address information based on the distributed address information. Fax transmission is enabled on the basis of
It was not necessary to try x transmission.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing an example of a data communication apparatus, ie, a transmission source (calling side) for easy understanding of the concept of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram including a facsimile (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission source fax device) 100. The source Fax device 100 is connected to the destination Fax device 200 via the telephone network 4, and is provided so as to be able to perform Fax communication with each other. In addition,
Although only one fax device 200 is shown in FIG. 1, in practice, any fax device 200
Can be connected to the device.

Although not shown, the transmission source fax device 1
00 to LAN (Local Area Network)
k) and other devices (for example,
Computer, etc.).

The source Fax device 100 is connected to another source Fa.
a plurality of source fax devices such as x devices 102 and 103 and LA
It is connected via a network 5 such as N (Local Area Network), and can transmit and receive data such as ID information and address information.
Other nodes (for example, computers) may be connected to the network 5 to communicate with each other.

The source fax machine 100 is connected to the main control unit 1
1, input unit 12, display unit 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 1
5, a communication control unit, 16 an address book server control unit 21, an address information memory unit 23, a database management module 24, a database search module 25, and an access log memory unit 26, and these units are connected to each other by an internal bus. ing.

The main control unit 11 has a central processing unit (CP)
U), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like, and controls each unit and the entirety of the transmission source fax device 100 based on a program recorded in the ROM. The main control unit 11 is an example of a change unit according to the present invention, and invalidates the stored address information of the destination data communication device as described later with respect to the address information stored in the address information memory unit 23. The post-address information is valid. Further, the main control unit 11 is also an example of the ID collation unit of the present invention.

The input unit 12 includes, in addition to the operation keys for performing various operations, a keyboard as input means for inputting character information representing the attribute of the destination or address information of the destination. The input means may be configured to include a microphone that enables voice input and an optical character recognition device (OCR) that enables handwritten character input.

The display unit 13 is a display means for displaying various messages and the like, and is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel and has a reading function for vocalizing messages in addition to displaying various messages. May be. Various messages include the current date and time, the current time, F
The address information (telephone number) and ID information of the destination fax device 200 displayed during the fax transmission, and the input result from the input unit 12 and the registered I
A list of D information is displayed. The input unit 12 and the display unit 13 may be integrally configured by, for example, a touch panel or the like.

The reading section 14 is reading means for optically scanning a document and reading document information obtained by photoelectric conversion.

The recording section 15 is recording means for recording the image information or the like received by fax on recording paper, and is, for example, a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, or the like.

The communication control section 16 is an example of the receiving means of the present invention, and also serves as an example of the management information transmitting means of the present invention, and has a function of encoding the decoded image information, A function of decoding image information that is connected to the telephone network 4 and connecting / disconnecting calls to the telephone network 4;
It has a function of performing modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data, and a function of exchanging information with a fax device (for example, 200) as a transmission destination.

The LAN interface unit 19 is a two-way communication means for connecting the transmission source fax apparatus 100 to the network 5 and communicating with other nodes connected to the network 5. LAN connection means for connecting to The transmission source fax devices 102 and 103 connected to the network 5 can bidirectionally communicate address information and ID information with a server unit included in the transmission source fax device 100 via the LAN interface unit 19 as described later.

The address book server unit 150 has a sender Fax
This is a part of the configuration of the device 100, and is connected to each of the above-described members via an internal bus. Address book server section 150
Has an address book server control unit 21, an address information memory unit 23, a database management module 24, a database search module 25, and an access log memory unit 26. In general, the server always waits for a processing request from each client connected to the network (the transmission source fax apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is also an example of a client), and if there is a processing request, a result corresponding to the processing request is output. Refers to an information processing device that implements a function of transmitting to a client or performing internal processing, and software executed by the information processing device. In the present embodiment, the address book server unit 150 is built in the transmission source fax device 100 and implements a database management function as well as a search function of address information.

The address book server control unit 21 has a central processing unit (CPU), and utilizes a magnetic disk device, a random access memory (RAM), and the like included in the main control unit 11 to record data on the magnetic disk device. Each part of the address book server unit 150 is controlled based on the program. Note that a read-only memory (ROM) may be used instead of the magnetic disk device. If the program executed by the address book server control unit 21 is executed by the CPU provided in the main control unit 11, the CPU provided in the address book server control unit 21 can be omitted.

The address information memory unit 23 is an example of the storage means of the present invention, and stores address information of an arbitrary destination fax machine and an attribute corresponding to the address information.
The attribute of the transmission destination stored in the address information memory unit 23 is, for example, a company name, a section name, a personal name, a title, and an abbreviation thereof, and is also referred to as ID information in the present invention. The address information memory unit 23 is an example of the storage unit of the present invention, and is also an example of the ID information storage unit of the present invention.

As the address information memory unit 23, EPP
A rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk can be used, and a volatile semiconductor memory is used in combination with the nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the magnetic recording medium. The configuration may be such that the nonvolatile memory is rewritten as needed in advance in a semiconductor memory.

The address information memory unit 23 has a destination F
An address information database 23A that stores address information of the ax device, an ID information database 23B that stores ID information, and a management information database 23C that stores each record time stamp information are stored.

Table 1 shows the contents of the address information database 23A, the ID information database 23B, and the management information database 23C stored in the address information memory unit 23 in an easy-to-understand manner, from the records stored in the address information memory unit 23. The first four records are excerpted and illustrated. One line corresponds to one record.

[0042]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, each row corresponds to a record for each case. In each record, a serial number is entered as a unique key, and the address information, the ID information, the abbreviated number, the time, A stamp or the like is entered. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a company name, a department name, and a personal name are entered as ID information. Explaining each entry, a company name, a department name, a personal name, etc., which are examples of user ID information, are items that are determined for each destination fax device. Due to circumstances, the items stored in the address information memory unit 23 may not match the actual situation. For shortening, a shortening number to be input from the keyboard when using the shortening function is entered. The time stamp describes the date and time when the record was updated. In this embodiment, when at least one entry of each record is changed, the date and time when the change was made are described.

Further, there may be a record in which some entries are not entered. For example, the record of No. 4 does not have an entry corresponding to the company name and the department name, so the entry from there is shown using the symbol of φ.

The column of address information in each record of Table 1 is managed in the address information database 23A, the column of company name, department name, and personal name as an example of user ID information is managed in the ID information database 23B, and the column of time stamp is managed. This corresponds to the information database 23C.

The database management module 24 is an example of the management means of the present invention, and the address information database 2
3A, a module that manages writing and reading of each entry of the ID information database 23B and the management information database 23C, and is an example of a change unit of the present invention. The database management module 24 checks each fax device connected to the network 5 (the source fax device 10
2, 103, etc.) or the source fax device 100
In response to its own request, the address information database 23
A, describing each entry of the ID information database 23B and the management information database 23C, and executing the change.

The database search module 25 is an example of the extracting means of the present invention. The database search module 25 searches the address information database 23A, the ID information database 23B, and the management information database 23C in response to a request from each of the fax devices. Extract records that meet the requirements.

In the present embodiment, the database management module 24 and the database search module 25 are configured as software executed by the address book server control unit 21.

The user operates the input unit 12 to operate the address information database 23A and the ID information database 23B.
Can be manually entered.

The access log memory unit 26 stores each of the transmission source Fs.
The time at which the transmission of the address information was requested by the ax devices 100, 102, and 103 is stored. More specifically, the latest time is stored for each of the source fax devices 100, 102, and 103. Also, the latest time when the address information is updated by manual input is stored.

The telephone number of the destination fax machine of the present embodiment is an example of the address information of the destination data communication apparatus of the present invention.

In the present invention, the ID information and the address information of the destination fax machine are collectively referred to as destination information.

The source fax machine 100 having such a configuration can perform fax transmission as follows.

The source fax machine 100 can perform fax transmission using the one-touch dial function or the abbreviated dial function. To use the one-touch dial function, a desired one is selected from the ID information listed on the display unit 13 using the button of the input unit 12. Display 1
The list display in No. 3 shows that the main control unit 11 displays the transmission destination information stored in the address information memory unit 23. When the user operates the button of the input unit 12 to select desired ID information, the main control unit 11 searches the address information memory unit 23 and stores the address information (telephone number) corresponding to the stored ID information. The acquired address information is provided to the communication control unit 16. On the other hand,
Under the control of the main control unit 11, the document information of the reading unit 14 is also given to the communication control unit 16, and the fax transmission to the destination fax device 200 is executed.

To use the abbreviated dial function, fax transmission can be performed by pressing a button for abbreviated transmission after inputting a previously registered abbreviated number from the input unit 12.

When the abbreviated dial function is used, the main control unit 11 searches the address information stored in the address information memory unit 23 for address information corresponding to the abbreviated number input from the keyboard of the input unit 12. One address information obtained as a result of the search is obtained to the communication control unit 16. On the other hand, under the control of the main control unit 11, the document information of the reading unit 14 is also given to the communication control unit 16, and the fax transmission to the destination fax device 200 is executed.

With this configuration, the document information read by the reading unit 14 is transmitted to the destination F via the telephone network 4.
Data transmission (fax transmission) can be performed to the ax device (for example, 200). In the present embodiment, the document information read by the reading unit 14 of the transmission source fax device 100 is transmitted by fax.
The apparatus 100 may be provided with a network interface to connect to a network, and fax data of a document or the like created by another apparatus (for example, a computer) connected to the network.

Here, the procedure of updating the address information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the source data communication device (source Fa)
x device 100) requests the address book server unit 150 to transmit address information (S11), and subsequently transmits management information from the management information database 23C (S1).
2). The transmission request in step 11 (S11) is
This is executed via the internal bus of the x device 100.

In the address book server section 150, the database search module 25 based on the received management information and the time stored in the access log memory section 26.
Searches the management information database 23C and finds the sender Fa.
The record updated after the transmission request made by the x apparatus 100 last time is extracted (S13). The update added to the record extracted in step 13 is transmitted to the source fax device 100.
Address book server unit 15
0 transmits the extracted record to the source fax machine 100 (S14).

When the source fax machine 100 receives the extracted record (S15), it updates the address information based on the address information described in the received record (S16).

The request for transmitting the address information in step 11 (S11) may be executed periodically, or the destination Fax
It may be executed each time an attempt is made to call the device. Here, the term “periodically” may be a fixed interval (for example, every hour, every 30 minutes, or the like) or a schedule (for example, twice at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm). .
Furthermore, it may be executed when no outgoing or incoming call is executed for a certain period of time. Of course, the transmission source fax device 100 may be provided with a transmission request button, and the user may manually instruct execution start.

In addition to the transmission request in step 11 (S11), the transmission of the management information in step 12 (S12) and the transmission of the extracted record in step 14 (S14)
This is executed via the internal bus of the ax device 100.

It should be noted that the procedure for updating the address book is described in the source Fa.
If the x-apparatus 102, 103 executes, the source Fax
In addition to the transmission request of step 11 (S11) via the network 5 instead of the internal bus of the device 100, transmission of management information of step 12 (S12), and step 14 (S1)
The transmission of the extracted record of 4) is executed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a simplified view of a facsimile transmission source (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission source facsimile apparatus) as an example of a data communication apparatus, which is simplified for easier understanding of the concept of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a device 300 and an address book server 400 which is an example of an address book server. The source Fax device 300 is connected to the destination Fax device 200 via the telephone network 4, and is provided so as to be able to perform Fax communication with each other. Although only one fax device 200 is shown in FIG. 3, it can be connected to any fax device via the telephone network 4 in practice.

The source fax machine 300 and the address book server 400 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) and the like, and
Data such as D information and address information can be transmitted and received. The network 5 may be connected to another fax device (the source fax device 102, the source fax device 103) or another node (for example, a computer) to communicate with each other.

The source fax machine 300 transmits the address book server unit 15 from the source fax machine 100 described with reference to FIG.
The main control unit 31 is the main control unit 11, the input unit 32 is the input unit 12, the display unit 33 is the display unit 13, the reading unit 34 is the reading unit 14, and the recording unit 35 is The recording unit 15, the communication control unit 36 have the same configuration as the communication control unit 16, and the address information memory unit 38 has the same configuration as that of the address information memory unit 23.

The LAN interface unit 39 is a bidirectional communication means for connecting the transmission source fax device 300 to the network 5 and performing communication with another node connected to the network 5. LAN connection means for connecting to Source Fax Device 30
0 is capable of bidirectional communication of address information and ID information with an address book server 400 described later via the LAN interface unit 39, and the main control unit 31
Various requests are issued to the transmission source fax device 300 via the AN interface unit 39, and responses are received.

The address book server 400 has substantially the same configuration as the address book server unit 150 of the source fax machine 100 described with reference to FIG.

The input section 42 is the input section 12, the address information memory section 43 is the address information memory section 23, and the database management module 44 is the database management module 2
4. The database search module 45 has the same configuration as the database search module 25, and the access log memory unit 46 has the same configuration as the access log memory unit 26.

The main control unit 41 has a central processing unit (CP)
U), magnetic disk drive, random access memory (R
AM) and the like, and controls each part and the whole of the address book server 400 based on a program recorded in the magnetic disk device. Note that a read-only memory (ROM) may be used instead of the magnetic disk device.

The LAN interface unit 49 is a two-way communication means for connecting the address book server 400 to the network 5 and communicating with other nodes connected to the network 5. LAN connection means for connection. Address book server 40
0 is the transmission source Fa via the LAN interface unit 49
The address information, the ID information, and the management information can be bidirectionally communicated with the x-device 300.
1 receives and responds to a request from the source fax machine 300 or performs internal processing.

The source fax machine 100 having such a configuration can perform fax transmission as follows.

The source fax machine 300 can perform fax transmission using the one-touch dial function or the abbreviated dial function. To use the one-touch dial function, a desired one is selected from the ID information listed on the display unit 33 using the button of the input unit 32. Display 3
The list display in No. 3 indicates that the main control unit 31 displays the transmission destination information stored in the address information memory unit 43. When the user operates the button of the input unit 32 to select desired ID information, the main control unit 31 requests the address book server 400 to search the address information memory unit 43 and responds to the stored ID information. The address information (telephone number) to be obtained is obtained via the network 5 and the obtained one piece of address information is given to the communication control unit 36. On the other hand, under the control of the main control unit 31, the document information of the reading unit 34 is also given to the communication control unit 36, and the transmission destination fax device 20
Fax transmission for 0 is executed.

In order to use the abbreviated dial function, a previously registered abbreviated number is input from the input section 32, and similarly, address information is obtained from the address book server 400 and a button for abbreviated transmission is pressed. Fax transmission is possible.

The procedure for updating the address information by the source fax machine 300 and the address book server 400 in FIG. 3 is the same as the procedure described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the source data communication device (source Fa)
The x device 100) requests the address book server 400 to transmit address information (S11), and subsequently transmits management information from the management information database 43C (S12).

In the address book server 400, the database search module 45 searches the management information database 43C based on the received management information and the time stored in the access log memory unit 46,
The record updated by the apparatus 300 after the previous transmission request is extracted (S13). Since the update added to the record extracted in step 13 is not related to the source fax device 300, the address book server 400 transmits the extracted record to the source fax device 300 (S14).

When the source fax machine 300 receives the extracted record (S15), it updates the address information based on the address information described in the received record (S16).

The transmission request of the address information in step 11 (S11) may be executed periodically, or the transmission destination Fax
It may be executed each time an attempt is made to call the device. Here, the term “periodically” may be a fixed interval (for example, every hour, every 30 minutes, or the like) or a schedule (for example, twice at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm). .
Furthermore, it may be executed when no outgoing or incoming call is executed for a certain period of time. Of course, the transmission source fax device 300 may be provided with a transmission request button, and the user may manually instruct the execution start.

The transmission of the management information in step 12 (S12) and the transmission of the extracted records in step 14 (S14) are executed via the network 5 in addition to the transmission request in step 11 (S11).

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a simplified view of a facsimile transmission source (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission source facsimile apparatus) which is an example of a data communication apparatus, which is simplified for easier understanding of the concept of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a device 500 and an address book server 600 which is an example of an address book server. The source Fax device 500 is connected to the destination Fax device 200 via the telephone network 4, and is provided so as to be able to perform Fax communication with each other. Although only one fax device 200 is shown in FIG. 4, it can be connected to any fax device via the telephone network 4 in practice.

The transmission source fax apparatus 500 and the address book server 600 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) and the like, and
Data such as D information and address information can be transmitted and received. The network 5 may be connected to another fax device (the source fax device 102, the source fax device 103) or another node (for example, a computer) to communicate with each other.

The source Fax device 500 includes an address information analyzing unit 57 and an address information memory unit 58 in addition to the source Fax device 300 described with reference to FIG. 3, and the main control unit 51 includes a main control unit. 31, an input unit 52 is an input unit 32, a display unit 53 is a display unit 33, and a reading unit 54 is a reading unit 3.
4. The recording unit 55 has the same configuration as the recording unit 35, the communication control unit 56 has the same configuration as the communication control unit 36, and the LAN interface unit 59 has the same configuration as the LAN interface unit 39.

The address information analysis unit 57 analyzes the address change notification and converts it into numerical data (generally, a 10-digit numerical value) indicating a new telephone number of the destination fax device 200. The address change notification is sent to the destination fax device 200.
When the source fax device 500 and the destination fax device 200 cannot be connected because the address information has been changed due to circumstances on the side, the communication carrier returns to the source fax device 500 instead of the destination fax device 200 with the notification. Yes, it may be information obtained by reading out a telephone number by voice (voice signal), or may be coded information. When a voice signal is used, either a natural voice obtained by recording a human voice or a synthesized voice synthesized by a voice synthesizer can be used as an address change notification.

The numerical data obtained by analyzing the address change notification is the address information of the transmission destination fax device 200. If a call is made based on the address information, the transmission source fax device 500 and the transmission destination fax device will be sure. Fax transmission is possible between the server 200 and the server 200.

The address information memory unit 58 stores address information of an arbitrary destination fax machine, an attribute corresponding to the address information, and management information. The attribute of the transmission destination stored in the address information memory unit 58 is, for example, a company name, a section name, an individual name, a post name, and an abbreviation thereof, and is also referred to as ID information in the present invention. The address information memory unit 58 is an example of the storage unit of the present invention, and is also an example of the ID information storage unit of the present invention. Also,
The management information is, for example, a time stamp that specifies the date and time when the address information and the ID information are updated.

As the address information memory unit 58, EPP
A rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk can be used, and a volatile semiconductor memory is used in combination with the nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the magnetic recording medium. The configuration may be such that the nonvolatile memory is rewritten as needed in advance in a semiconductor memory.

The address information memory unit 58 stores the destination F
The address information database 23A that stores the address information of the ax device, the ID information database 23B that stores the ID information, and the management information database 23C that stores the time stamp information of each record are stored in the same manner as described in Table 1. Is done.

The transmission source Fax device 500 transmits the transmission destination Fax
When the address change notification is received from the destination fax device 200 during or after negotiation with the device 200, the received address change notification is analyzed by the address information analysis unit 57 to obtain the changed address information.
Next, the address information entered in the address information database 63A stored in the address information memory unit 58 is described (overwritten) with the changed address information based on the obtained changed address information.

The address book server 600 has the same configuration as the address book server 400 described with reference to FIG. 3. The main control unit 61 is the main control unit 41, the input unit 62 is the input unit 42, and the address information memory unit. 63 is an address information memory unit 43, database management module 64 is database management module 44, database search module 65 is database search module 45, access log memory unit 66 is access log memory unit 46, LAN
The interface unit 69 is a LAN interface unit 4
Since the configuration is the same as that of No. 9, the duplicate description is omitted.

The address information memory 63 stores an address information database 63A, an ID information database 63B, and a management information database 63C having the same contents as those of the address information memory 58 of the source fax machine 500. Although the contents stored in the address information memory unit 63 are the same in the present embodiment, the contents may not be the same if a converter for maintaining compatibility is provided.

The source fax machine 100 having such a configuration can perform fax transmission as follows.

The source fax machine 500 can perform fax transmission using the one-touch dial function or the abbreviated dial function. To use the one-touch dial function, a desired one is selected from the ID information listed on the display unit 53 using the button of the input unit 52. Display 5
The list display in No. 3 indicates that the main control unit 51 displays the destination information stored in the address information memory unit 58. When the user operates the button of the input unit 52 to select the desired ID information, the main control unit 51 causes the address information memory unit 58 to search, and stores the address information (telephone number) corresponding to the stored ID information. The acquired address information is provided to the communication control unit 56. On the other hand, under the control of the main control unit 51, the document information of the reading unit 54 is also given to the communication control unit 56, and the transmission destination fax device 200
Is transmitted.

To use the abbreviated dialing function, a previously registered abbreviated number is input from the input section 52, and then the address information is similarly obtained from the address book memory section 58 and a button for abbreviated transmission is pressed. , Fax transmission.

Next, a procedure of updating address information by the source fax machine 500 and the address book server 600 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the source data communication device (source Fa)
x device 500) transmits the management information (time stamp) to the address book server 600 (S21), and the address book server 600 having received the management information searches the management information database 23C management information by the database search module 65, A record that has been updated by the source fax machine 500 and has not been updated by the address book server 600 is extracted (S22).

When the extraction is completed, the address book server 600
Requests the source fax machine 500 to transmit the address information corresponding to the extracted record (S23),
The source fax machine 500 transmits the requested address information to the address book server 600 in response to the request in step 23 (S23) (S24).

When address book server 600 receives the address information, database management module 64
The address information of the record extracted in step 23 (S23) is updated (S25). Step 25 (S25)
In the address book server 600, the database management module 64 updates the address information entered in the detected record by describing (overwriting) the changed address information.

In the present embodiment, the address information that can be entered in one record is one, and the address before the change is overwritten with the address before the change, thereby invalidating the address information before the change and the address information after the change. For example, a plurality of address information can be entered in one record, a valid flag and an invalid flag corresponding to each address information are provided, and only one of the plurality of address information is validated. May be invalidated.

The transmission request of the address information in step 21 (S21) may be executed periodically, or the transmission destination Fax
It may be executed each time an address change notification is received from the device. Here, periodically means at regular intervals (for example, every hour,
(For example, every 30 minutes) or a schedule (for example, twice at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm). Furthermore, it may be executed when no outgoing or incoming call is executed for a certain period of time. Of course, the transmission source fax device 100 may be provided with a transmission request button, and the user may manually instruct execution start.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a simplified view of an example of a data communication apparatus, which is a facsimile of a transmission source (hereinafter referred to as a transmission source facsimile apparatus) in order to facilitate understanding of the concept of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a device 700 and an address book server 800 which is an example of an address book server. The source Fax device 700 is connected to the destination Fax device 200 via the telephone network 4, and is provided so as to be able to perform Fax communication with each other. Although only one fax device 200 is shown in FIG. 4, it can be connected to any fax device via the telephone network 4 in practice.

The transmission source fax device 700 and the address book server 800 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) and the like, and
Data such as D information and address information can be transmitted and received. The network 5 may be connected to another fax device (the source fax device 102, the source fax device 103) or another node (for example, a computer) to communicate with each other.

The source fax device 700 includes an address information memory unit 78 in addition to the source fax device 300 described with reference to FIG. 3, and the main control unit 71 is the main control unit 31, and the input unit 72 is The input unit 32, the display unit 73 is the display unit 33, the reading unit 74 is the reading unit 34, and the recording unit 75 is the recording unit 3.
5. Since the communication control unit 76 has the same configuration as the communication control unit 36 and the LAN interface unit 79 has the same configuration as the LAN interface unit 39, the duplicate description will be omitted.

The address information memory section 78 stores address information of an arbitrary destination fax machine, an attribute corresponding to the address information, and management information. The attribute of the transmission destination stored in the address information memory unit 23 is, for example, a company name, a section name, a personal name, a title, and an abbreviation thereof, and is also referred to as ID information in the present invention. The address information memory unit 78 is an example of the storage unit of the present invention, and is also an example of the ID information storage unit of the present invention. Also,
The management information is, for example, a time stamp that specifies the date and time when the address information and the ID information are updated.

As the address information memory unit 78, EPP
A rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a ROM or a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk can be used, and a volatile semiconductor memory is used in combination with the nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the magnetic recording medium. The configuration may be such that the nonvolatile memory is rewritten as needed in advance in a semiconductor memory.

The address information memory unit 78 stores the destination F
The address information database 23A that stores the address information of the ax device, the ID information database 23B that stores the ID information, and the management information database 23C that stores the time stamp information of each record are stored in the same manner as described in Table 1. Is done.

The source fax machine 700 describes (overwrites) the address information entered in the address information database stored in the address information memory unit 78, based on the address information distributed from the address book server 800.

The address book server 800 has the same configuration as that of the address book server 400 described with reference to FIG. 3 except that the access log memory unit is omitted. The main control unit 81 is composed of the main control unit 41 and the address information memory. The unit 83 includes the address information memory unit 43 and the database management module 8
4 is a database management module 44, and a database search module 85 is a database search module 4.
5. Since the LAN interface unit 89 has the same configuration as the LAN interface unit 49, duplicate description will be omitted.

The input unit 82 includes, in addition to operation keys for performing various operations, a keyboard, which is an example of an input unit of the present invention, for inputting character information representing the attribute of the destination or address information of the destination. I have. When the user operates the input unit 82 to input the address information of the transmission destination or the like, the database management module 84 can rewrite the address information entry stored in the address information memory unit 83 as described later. The input means may be configured to include a microphone that enables voice input and an optical character recognition device (OCR) that enables handwritten character input.
Further, the computer connected to the network 5 may request the database management module 84 to rewrite the entry and rewrite the entry.

In the address information memory unit 83, the source F
An address information database 83A, an ID information database 83B, and a management information database 83C having the same contents as those of the address information memory unit 78 of the ax device 700 are stored, and synchronized at an arbitrary timing based on the information stored in the address information memory unit 83. Is taken. Although the contents stored in the address information memory unit 83 are the same in the present embodiment, the contents may not be the same as long as a converter for maintaining compatibility is provided.

Here, synchronizing means that the information stored in the address information memory unit 78 is stored in the address information memory unit 8.
3 is matched with the information stored in No. 3 so that a call can be made to the same destination fax machine based on any address information.

The main control section 81 is an example of the distribution control means of the present invention, and the LAN interface section 89 is an example of the distribution means of the present invention. Then, when the address information is updated, the main control unit 81 extracts the address information to be distributed, and distributes the extracted address information to the transmission source fax devices by the LAN interface unit 89.

The source fax machine 100 having such a configuration can perform fax transmission as follows.

The source fax machine 700 can perform fax transmission using the one-touch dial function or the abbreviated dial function. In order to use the one-touch dial function, a desired one is selected from the ID information listed on the display unit 73 using the button of the input unit 72. Display 7
The list display in No. 3 indicates that the main control unit 71 displays the transmission destination information stored in the address information memory unit 78. When the user operates the button of the input unit 72 to select the desired ID information, the main control unit 71 causes the address information memory unit 78 to search, and stores the address information (telephone number) corresponding to the stored ID information. The acquired address information is provided to the communication control unit 76. On the other hand, under the control of the main control unit 71, the document information of the reading unit 74 is also given to the communication control unit 76, and the destination fax device 200
Is transmitted.

To use the abbreviated dialing function, a previously registered abbreviated number is input from the input section 72, and the address information is similarly obtained from the address book memory section 78 and the abbreviated transmission button is pressed. , Fax transmission.

Next, a procedure for distributing address information by the source fax machine 700 and the address book server 800 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the database management module 84 writes a description to a specific record in the address information database 83A stored in the address information memory unit 83 (S31). This description may be addition of a new record (registration of a new telephone number) or update of an existing record. In the present embodiment, the address information that can be entered in one record is one, and in the case of updating an existing record, the address before the change is overwritten by the address after the change, thereby invalidating the address information before the change. And
Although the changed address information is enabled, for example, 1
A plurality of address information can be entered in a record, and a valid flag and an invalid flag corresponding to each address information are provided, so that only one of the plurality of address information is valid and other entries are invalid. good.

At the end of the description of the record in step 31 (S31), the address information database 83A is immediately
Is updated (S32), and the new address information becomes valid. The update timing (date and time) of the address information is stored in the management information database 83C of the address information memory unit 83 as a time stamp as an example of the management information.

Next, based on the time stamp of the management information database 83C, the database search module 85 extracts address information having a time stamp after the previous distribution timing (described later) from the address information database 83A (S33).

Next, the extracted address information is
The data is distributed to the ax device 700 (S34). FIG. 6 shows three transmission fax machines (700, 102,
103) is described, but step 34 (S
By the distribution of 34), the address information having the time stamp after execution of step 32 is transmitted to the three fax devices. Here, the distribution may be transmitted to individual nodes, or may be transmitted collectively to all nodes connected to the network 5.

The source fax machine 700 changes the address information database 83A stored in the address information memory unit 78 based on the distributed address information. Note that the other source fax devices (102, 103) similarly update the address information (S35).

Next, conditions for starting the procedure from step 31 (S31) will be described. For example, when the user operates the input unit 72 to newly create or update address information, the address information may be changed from one of the transmission source fax devices (700, 102, 103) connected to the network 5. When the notification of the change is transmitted or the address information after the change is transmitted, the procedure described in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started. Further, the start of the description of the record in step 31 (S31) is periodically executed, or the input section 72 is started.
When the user operates the distribution start button and operates it,
It may be configured to start.

Here, the term “periodically” may be a fixed interval (eg, every hour, every 30 minutes, etc.) or a schedule (eg, twice at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm). May be. Further, some of these may be used in combination.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a simplified view of a facsimile of a transmission source (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission source facsimile apparatus) which is an example of a data communication apparatus and is simplified for easy understanding of the concept of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram including a device 900 and a destination facsimile device (hereinafter, referred to as a destination fax device) 1000. The source Fax device 900 is connected to the destination Fax device 1000 via the telephone network 4, and is provided so as to be able to perform Fax communication with each other. Although only one fax device 200 is shown in FIG. 8, an arbitrary F
ax device.

The source fax apparatus 900 is substantially the same as the source fax apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 except that the LAN interface unit 19, the address book server control unit 21, and the access log memory unit 26 are removed. The control unit 91 is the main control unit 11, the input unit 92 is the input unit 12, the display unit 93 is the display unit 13, the reading unit 94 is the reading unit 14, the recording unit 95 is the recording unit 15, and the communication control unit 96 is the communication control unit 16. ,
The address information memory unit 97 includes the address information memory unit 2
3. The database management module 98 includes the database management module 24 and the database search module 99.
Has the same configuration as that of the database search module 25, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

The address information memory unit 97 stores an address information database 97A for storing the address information of the destination fax machine, an ID information database 97B for storing the ID information, and a management unit for storing the time stamp information of each record. The information database 97C is stored in the same manner as described in Table 1.

The transmission destination Fax device 1000 transmits the transmission source Fa
x device 900 has the same hardware configuration as the
The main control unit 1001 is the main control unit 91, the input unit 1002 is the input unit 92, the display unit 1003 is the display unit 93, the reading unit 100
4 is a reading unit 94, a recording unit 1005 is a recording unit 95, a communication control unit 1006 is a communication control unit 96, an address information memory unit 1007 is an address information memory unit 97, and a database management module 1008 is a database management module 9.
8. Since the database search module 1009 has the same configuration as the database search module 99, duplicate description will be omitted.

The address information memory unit 1007 stores an address information database 1007A for storing the address information of the destination fax machine, an ID information database 1007B for storing the ID information, and a management unit for storing the time stamp information of each record. Information database 100
7C are stored in the same manner as described in Table 1.

The confirmation button 1002A is an example of the confirmation means of the present invention, and is an operation button operated when the user approves the addition of a new record to the address information database 1007A as described later. Section. Note that a configuration may be employed in which a new record is automatically added without providing the confirmation button 1002A.

The source fax apparatus 900 and the destination fax apparatus 1000 are distinguished for the sake of convenience in describing the calling side and the called side in the following description of the embodiment, and the main control unit At 91, the calling program is executed, and at the main control unit 1001, the called program is executed to perform fax transmission. When the fax transmission is completed, the calling program and the called program are terminated, and in a new fax transmission, the destination fax device 1000 is called by the calling party and the transmission source fax.
The device 900 can be the called party.

The source fax machine 900 having such a configuration can perform fax transmission as follows.

The source fax machine 900 can perform fax transmission using a one-touch dial function or a speed dial function. To use the one-touch dial function, a desired one is selected from the ID information listed on the display unit 73 using the button of the input unit 92. Display 9
The list display in No. 3 shows that the main control unit 91 displays the destination information stored in the address information memory unit 97. When the user operates a button of the input unit 92 to select desired ID information, the main control unit 91 causes the database search module 99 to search the address information memory unit 97 and stores the address information corresponding to the stored ID information. (Telephone number) is obtained, and the obtained one piece of address information is given to the communication control unit 96 which is an example of the calling means of the present invention. On the other hand, under the control of the main control unit 91, the reading unit 94
Is also given to the communication control unit 96, and the transmission destination Fax
The communication control unit 1006, which is an example of the receiving means of the present invention included in the apparatus 1000, receives a call and executes Fax transmission.

To use the abbreviated dialing function, a previously registered abbreviated number is input from the input section 92, and then the address information is similarly obtained from the address book memory section 97 and the abbreviated transmission button is pressed. , Fax transmission.

Next, a procedure for transmitting an address change notification from the source fax machine 900 to the destination fax machine 1000 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the database management module 98 changes the address information by executing the description in the specific record in the address information database 97A stored in the address information memory unit 97 (S41). This change can be the addition of a new record (registering a new phone number),
Update of an existing record may be used. In the present embodiment, the address information that can be entered in one record is one, and in the case of updating an existing record, the address before the change is overwritten by the address after the change, thereby invalidating the address information before the change. The address information after the change is validated. For example, a plurality of address information can be entered in one record, and a valid flag and an invalid flag corresponding to each address information are provided. Only the case may be made valid and other entries may be made invalid.

When the main controller 91 detects that the record description has been executed in step 41 (S41) (S4).
2) A call is made to the destination fax machine 1000 based on the new address information (S43). Step 43
The details of the negotiation between the source Fax device 900 and the destination Fax device 1000 that are to be executed following the call in (S43) will be omitted, but the main control unit 91 sets the communication control unit 9
6 and confirms the incoming call of the destination fax machine 1000 (S44).

In step 44 (S44), it is confirmed whether or not the address change notification can be received to the destination fax machine 1000 (S45), and the address change notification is transmitted (S4).
6).

Next, a procedure executed by the destination fax machine 1000 in response to the address change notification transmitted from the source fax machine 900 of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In response to the call made in step 43 (S43) of FIG. 9, the destination fax machine 1000 receives a call (S5).
1). Subsequently, in response to the confirmation of the propriety of step 45 (S45) in FIG.
52). Subsequently, the address change notice transmitted in step 46 (S46) of FIG. 9 is received (S53), and the address information database 1007A is searched by the database search module 1009 using the address information related to the address change notice as a key. The presence / absence of an entry including the address information is confirmed (determined) (S54). The confirmation (determination) of step 54 (S54) is executed by the main control unit 1001, which is an example of the determination means of the present invention.

If there is a corresponding entry in step 54 (S54), the database management module 1008 overwrites and updates the address information of the entry (S54).
55) On the other hand, if there is no corresponding entry, a new record is created by the database management module 1008, the address information is entered, and the address information is added (S56).

By executing such a procedure, when the address information is changed, it is checked whether or not the address change notification can be received to the destination fax machine, and then the address change notification is transmitted. The changed address information can be reliably notified to the destination Fax device.

When it is determined from the address change notification that the address information needs to be changed or added, the address information can be updated by making necessary changes or additions.

[0144]

According to the address information management method of the present invention, the address information stored in the transmission source data communication device can be arbitrarily updated by the address information included in the database managed by the management means. Therefore, even if there is a change in the address information of the destination data communication device, the source data communication device can perform the fax transmission based on the updated address information, so that it is not necessary to repeatedly try the fax transmission. .

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the address book server section is provided, even if the address information of the destination data communication apparatus is changed, the address book server section can change the source data communication apparatus. Fax transmission becomes possible based on the updated address information.
No more trying to send x. Also, since the address information can be provided to other transmission source data communication devices, it is not necessary for the transmission source data communication device connected to the data communication device according to claim 9 to repeatedly try fax transmission. .

According to the address book server of the present invention, the updated address information is transmitted to the connected source data communication apparatus. Therefore, the source data communication connected to the address book server of the present invention is provided. In the device, many times F
Ax transmission is no longer required.

According to the address information management method of the present invention, the updated address information is distributed to the source data communication device, and the source data communication device stores the updated address information based on the distributed address information. Since the updated address information is updated, Fa based on the updated address information is updated.
Since x transmission becomes possible, it is not necessary to repeatedly try fax transmission.

According to the address book server of the present invention, the updated address information is distributed to the source data communication device. The source data communication device connected to the address book server according to claim 29 updates the stored address information based on the distributed address information, and thus updates the stored address information based on the address information updated by the source data communication device. This makes it possible to perform fax transmission, and eliminates the need to repeatedly try fax transmission.

According to the data communication method of the present invention, since the change of the address information of the transmission source data communication device is notified, the transmission destination data communication device can update the address information. The communication device can perform fax transmission based on the updated address information,
It was possible to eliminate the need to repeatedly try fax transmission.

According to the data communication apparatus of the present invention, since the change of the address information of the transmission source data communication apparatus is notified, the transmission destination data communication apparatus can update the address information, and The communication device can perform fax transmission based on the updated address information,
It was possible to eliminate the need to repeatedly try fax transmission.

According to the data communication device of the present invention, it is possible to receive the notification of the change of the address information of the source data communication device and update the address information. Therefore, the destination data communication apparatus can perform the fax transmission based on the updated address information,
No more trying to send x.

According to the address book server of the present invention, when the source data communication device obtains the updated address information related to the destination data communication device, it receives the address information from the source data communication device. To change the stored address information. Therefore, the source data communication device connected to the address book server according to claim 56 updates the stored address information based on the distributed address information. Based on this, it is possible to make the fax transmission possible, and it becomes unnecessary to repeatedly try the fax transmission.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a transmission source facsimile machine.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for updating address information.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram including a transmission source facsimile machine and an address book server;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram including a transmission source facsimile machine and an address book server;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for updating address information.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram including a transmission source facsimile machine and an address book server;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for delivering address information.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram including a transmission source facsimile apparatus and a transmission destination facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting an address change notification.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure executed by a destination fax machine in response to an address change notification.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Telephone network 5 Network 11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 1
001 Main control unit 12, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92, 1
002 Input unit 13, 33, 53, 73, 93, 1003 Display unit 16, 36, 56, 76, 96, 1006 Communication control unit 57 Address information analysis unit 23, 38, 43, 58, 63, 78, 83, 97 , 1
007 Address information memory section 19, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89 LAN interface section 24, 44, 64, 84, 98, 1008 Database management module 25, 45, 65, 85, 99, 1009 Database search module 23A , 83A, 63A, 97A, 1007A Address information database 23B, 63B, 83B, 97B, 1007B ID information database 23C, 63C, 83C, 97C, 1007C Management information database 26 Access log memory unit 100, 102, 103, 300, 500, 700, 9
00, 1000 Fax source device 150 Address book server unit 200 Fax destination device 400, 600, 800 Address book server

Claims (57)

[Claims] A requesting step of requesting transmission of the address information to a management means for managing a database including address information of a transmission destination data communication apparatus; a reception step of receiving the address information transmitted by the management means; An address information management method, comprising: updating an address information stored in a transmission source data communication device based on the received address information. 2. The address information management method according to claim 1, wherein the database is stored in advance in a storage unit provided in the telephone directory server. 3. A management information transmitting step of transmitting management information of address information stored in a transmission source data communication device to said management means, wherein said receiving step includes a step of: 3. The address information management method according to claim 1, wherein the address information extracted from the database is received. 4. The address information management method according to claim 3, wherein said database includes a record describing said management information and said address information. 5. The address information management method according to claim 4, wherein the updating step validates the received record and invalidates a record stored in advance in the transmission source data communication device. 6. The management information is a time stamp corresponding to an update timing of address information, and the extraction extracts records updated after the time stamp on records in the database. The method for managing address information according to claim 5. 7. The address information management method according to claim 6, wherein the record includes at least the time stamp, a telephone number as the address information, and user data information describing the address information. . 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the address book data stored in said transmission source data communication apparatus is initialized, a request is made to said management means to transmit all records. 4. The method for managing address information described in 4, 5, 6, or 7. 9. An address book server unit including storage means for storing a database including address information of a destination data communication device, and management means for managing the database.
Request means for requesting the server unit to transmit the address information, receiving means for receiving the address information transmitted by the management means, and an address stored in the source data communication device based on the received address information A data communication device comprising updating means for updating book data. 10. A management information transmitting means for transmitting management information of address information stored in a transmission source data communication device to said management means, wherein said receiving means is configured to execute said management means based on said transmitted management information. 10. The data communication device according to claim 9, wherein the address information extracted from the database is received. 11. The data communication device according to claim 10, wherein the database includes a record describing the management information and the address information. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the updating unit validates the received record and invalidates a record stored in advance in the transmission source data communication apparatus.
A data communication device according to claim 1. 13. The management information is a time stamp corresponding to an update timing of address information, and the extraction extracts records updated after the time stamp on records in the database. The data communication device according to claim 12, wherein: 14. The data communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the record includes at least the time stamp, a telephone number as the address information, and user information for explaining the address information. 15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the address book data stored in the transmission source data communication device is initialized, the address book server is requested to transmit all records. 15. The data communication device according to claim 12, 13, 13, or 14. 16. A storage unit for storing a database in which address information of transmission destination data communication devices are arranged, a management unit for managing the database, and receiving a transmission request for the address information requested by a transmission source data communication device. An address book server comprising: receiving means; and transmitting means for transmitting the address information to the transmission source data communication device in response to the transmission request. 17. An extracting unit for extracting address information necessary for the source data communication device based on the management information when the receiving unit receives the management information of the address information stored in the source data communication device. 17. The address book server according to claim 16, wherein the transmission unit transmits the address information extracted from the database by the management unit. 18. The address book server according to claim 17, wherein the database includes a record describing the management information and the address information. 19. The management information is a time stamp corresponding to the update timing of the address information, and the extraction extracts records updated after the time stamp on the records of the database. 19. The address book server according to claim 18, wherein 20. The address book server according to claim 19, wherein the record includes at least the time stamp, a telephone number as the address information, and user information explaining the address information. 21. An updating step of updating a database including address information corresponding to a transmission destination data communication apparatus, a distribution step of distributing the address information to a transmission source data communication apparatus in accordance with the update, and A method of invalidating the address information stored in the transmission source data communication device and validating the distributed address information based on the address information. 22. The address information management method according to claim 21, wherein the database is stored in advance in a storage unit provided in the address book server. 23. The management of address information according to claim 21, wherein the database includes a record describing a time stamp corresponding to an update timing at which the update is performed and the address information. Method. 24. The address information management method according to claim 23, further comprising a description step of writing the time stamp together with the address information in the record. 25. A management information transmitting step of transmitting management information including the distribution timing at which the distribution is performed from the transmission source data communication device, and transmitting address information having a time stamp after the distribution timing based on the management information. 25. The address information management method according to claim 24, further comprising an extraction step of extracting from the record, wherein the distribution step distributes the address information corresponding to the extracted record. 26. The address information according to claim 23, wherein the record includes at least the time stamp, a telephone number as the address information, and user information explaining the address information. Management method. 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the updating is performed based on an operation of an input device.
24. The method for managing address information described in 24, 25 or 26. 28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the updating is performed based on address information transmitted from the transmission source data communication apparatus. Management method. 29. A storage unit for storing a database including address information of a destination data communication device, an updating unit for updating a database including address information corresponding to the destination data communication device, and transmitting the address information to source data. An address book server comprising: a delivery unit that delivers to a communication device; and a delivery control unit that causes the delivery unit to deliver address information in accordance with the update. 30. The address book server according to claim 29, wherein the database includes a record describing a time stamp corresponding to the timing of the update and the address information. 31. The address book server according to claim 30, further comprising a description unit that describes the time stamp together with the address information in the record. 32. A management information receiving means for receiving management information including the distribution timing at which the distribution was performed from the transmission source data communication apparatus, and transmitting address information having a time stamp after the distribution timing based on the management information. 4. An extraction means for extracting.
2. The address book server according to 1. 33. The address book according to claim 30, wherein the record includes at least the time stamp, a telephone number as the address information, and user information for explaining the address information. server. 34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the updating is performed based on an operation of an input means.
32. The address book server according to 32 or 33. 35. The address book server according to claim 29, wherein the update is performed based on address information transmitted from the transmission source data communication device. 36. A calling step for calling from a transmission source data communication device to a transmission destination data communication device, a confirmation step for confirming an incoming call of the transmission destination data communication device, and notification of a change in address information of the transmission source data communication device. A data communication method comprising transmitting an address change notification to be transmitted. 37. A changing step of changing address information of the transmission source data communication device stored in a storage means,
The data communication method according to claim 36, wherein the transmitting step is performed when the change is made. 38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising a change detecting step of detecting execution of the changing step, wherein the transmitting step is performed when the change is detected in the change detecting step.
The data communication method described in 1. 39. The data communication method according to claim 36, further comprising a confirmation step of confirming whether or not the destination data communication device can receive an address change notification. 40. A data receiving method comprising: a receiving step of responding to an outgoing call of a transmission source data communication apparatus; and a reception step of receiving an address change notification notifying a change of address information relating to the transmission source data communication apparatus. Communication method. 41. A method for determining whether or not address information relating to the address change notification is entered in a database including address information of the transmission source data communication device stored in a storage unit. The data communication method according to claim 40. 42. If it is determined in the determining step that the entry has been made, the stored address information of the destination data communication device is invalidated, and the changed address information based on the received address change notification is replaced with the changed address information. 42. The data communication method according to claim 41, further comprising a step of updating an address to be valid. 43. The method according to claim 41, further comprising an address adding step of entering the changed address information based on the address change notification when it is determined in the determining step that the entry has not been made. Data communication method described. 44. The data communication method according to claim 43, further comprising a confirmation step of confirming execution of the address addition step with a user. 45. The data communication method according to claim 43, wherein when it is determined in said determining step that said entry has not been made, said address adding step is automatically executed. 46. A storage unit for storing a database including address information of a destination data communication device, a calling unit for making a call to a destination data communication device, and a change of address information of a source data communication device. A data communication device comprising: a change notification unit that transmits an address change notification to be notified. 47. changing means for changing the address information of the transmission source data communication device stored in the storage means;
47. The data communication apparatus according to claim 46, further comprising: transmission control means for executing said transmission by said change notification means when said change is made. 48. The apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising change detection means for detecting execution of said change, wherein said transmission control means executes said transmission step when said change detection means detects said change. Data communication device. 49. The data communication apparatus according to claim 46, further comprising a confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the destination data communication apparatus can receive the address change notification. 50. A storage means for storing a database including address information of a destination data communication apparatus, a call receiving means for responding to a call from a source data communication apparatus, and a change of address information relating to a source data communication apparatus. A data communication device comprising: a receiving unit that receives an address change notification to be notified. 51. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether the address information of the transmission source data communication device is entered in the database.
The data communication device according to 0. 52. If the determining means determines that the entry has been made, the stored address information of the destination data communication device is invalidated, and the changed address information based on the received address change notification is replaced with the changed address information. 52. The data communication device according to claim 51, further comprising: a validating unit. 53. The apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising a database management unit for entering the changed address information based on the address change notification into the database when the determination unit determines that the entry has not been made. Or the data communication device according to 52. 54. The data communication apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising a confirmation unit for confirming to the user whether or not the entry can be executed by the database management unit. 55. The data communication apparatus according to claim 54, wherein when the determination unit determines that the entry has not been made, the entry is automatically executed. 56. A storage unit for storing address information of a destination data communication device, a receiving unit for receiving address information from a source data communication device, and the storage unit according to the address information received from the source data communication device. Changing means for invalidating the address information of the destination data communication device stored in the means and validating the received address information;
An address book server comprising transmitting means for transmitting valid address information in response to a request from a transmission source data communication device. 57. ID information storage means for storing ID information associated with address information of a destination data communication device, and corresponding address information corresponding to the ID information transmitted by the source data communication device is stored in the source data communication device. 57. The address book server according to claim 56, further comprising ID information transmitting means for transmitting to the communication device.